Adjustable Electrical Box Bracket With Fastener-Free Height Locking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mounting assemblies for electrical boxes in ceiling structures are limited to fixed heights, restricting component compatibility and requiring additional fasteners for installation.

Innovation Solution

A bracket system with a support bar and mounting bracket that includes a channel structure and locking arm, allowing for adjustable securement of electrical boxes at various heights without additional hardware, using a sliding and locking mechanism to engage attachment arms at different insertion distances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mounting assemblies are used, then electrical boxes can be mounted at fixed heights, but component compatibility is restricted and additional fasteners are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheight adjustabilityVSAvoidmounting structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket transitions from a static fixed-height design to a dynamic adjustable-height design. The support bar can slide along the mounting bracket between minimum and maximum heights, and the locking mechanism allows the support bar to be positioned and secured at any intermediate height, enabling continuous adjustment rather than fixed positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting bracket is designed to accommodate multiple components at different heights without requiring different mounting assemblies. The same bracket structure can secure electrical boxes, smoke detectors, or other components at various heights along the support bar, eliminating the need for height-specific mounting hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If fixed-height mounting assemblies are used, then installation is simplified, but component compatibility and flexibility are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent compatibilityVSAvoidinstallation process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The locking mechanism is designed to be self-contained within the mounting bracket system. The support bar includes integrated locking features that engage with the mounting bracket without requiring separate fasteners or additional hardware. The user simply slides the support bar to the desired position and activates the locking mechanism, which self-secures the component at the selected height.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If additional fasteners are used for installation, then secure mounting is achieved, but device complexity and installation time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemounting securityVSAvoidhardware requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mounting bracket integrates multiple functions into a single unified structure. The bracket body, support bar, and locking mechanism are combined into one assembly that requires no additional fasteners. The locking features are built into the support bar and mounting bracket themselves, merging the functions of positioning, securing, and locking into a single integrated system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11881687B2Bracket system for mounting electrical boxes

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 ERICO INTERNATIONAL CORP

AI summary

A bracket system for mounting an electrical box and other components to a ceiling structure can include a support bar and a mounting bracket. The mounting bracket can be configured to receive an end of the support bar and selectively secure the support bar at any of a plurality of positions relative to the mounting bracket.